Capsulating machine



Nov. 1s, v1947.

R. P. SCHERER 2,431,141

CAPSULATING MACHINE v Original Filed June 24, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l'MMIII lglllllim" Il", l a

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INENTOR BY n Mlm Nov. 18, 1947. R. P. SCHERER i- CAPSULATING MACHINEOriginal Filed June 24, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lhlll. Ill! III.

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Nov. 18, 1947. R. P. scHERER 2,431,141

CAPSULATING MACHINE original Filed June 24. 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il]INVENTOR Rosi/QT E' Sc HERE@ BY y A i 90 l ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 18, 1947.

R. P, SCHERER GAPSULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 24, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 @z las INVENTOR. Raaf/2:1' Sauf/95H l ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 18, 1947.

R. F. SCHERER CAPSULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 24, 1940 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Raaf/2T E 60 HERER vMM/xwn/ TTORBEYS.

Nov. 18, 1947. R. P. scHERx-:R 2,431,141

' CAPSULATING MACHINE Original Filed June 24, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTOR. Raaf/QT ,1? 50u/5R51@ www ATTORNEYS,

Patented Nov. 18, 1947 CAPSULATIN G MACHINE Robert P. Scherer, Detroit,`Mich., assignor to Gelatin Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Original application June 24, 1940, Serial No.

341,986. Divided and' this application July 4,

1944, Serial No. 543,458

Claims. y 1 This invention relates to an improved machine forfabricating and filling capsules. It is a division of my copendingapplication Serial No. 341,- 986, filed June 24, 1940, Patent No.2,356,436, August 22, 1944.

Such application describes generally the machine and with particularreference to the pumping mechanism provided to feed the fluid contentmaterial in the required increments for capsulation. f

In the parent application, reference was made to a copendingapplication, Serial No. 336,110 which has since matured into Patent No.2,309,- 545, dated January 26, 1943, and which discloses the samegeneral type of machine but the invention claimedtherein related to themounting and adjustment of the die rolls. The same general type ofmachine is also shown in my Patent No. 2,318,718, patented May 11, 1943,which patent was referred to in my parent application, Ser. No. 341,986,as application Serial No. 307,666, but the invention claimed thereinrelated to feeder head.

lThe instant divisional application relates to that feature of theconstruction whereby that portion of the mechanism which includes thepumping mechanism and the feeder head may be elevated as a unit awayfrom and relative to that portion of the machine which includesthe dierolls to expose the feeder head and die rolls for cleaning and toaccomplish this without interfering with the oo-ordinated rotation ofthe die rolls and operation of the pumping mechanism,

As described in my parent application, Ser. No. 341,986, andapplications therein referred to, the die rolls are rotated insynchronism with the operation of the pumping mechanism. When the feederhead and pumping mechanism are elevated to expose the feeder head anddie rolls it is desirable to maintain the same operative phaserelationship between the rotation of the die rolls and the delivery ofcontent dosage increments by the pumping mechanism.

It is also desirable under many circumstances not to interrupt thefunctioning of the pump. Frequently heavy liquid suspensions are beingpumped and such suspensions tend to settle out in the fluid deliverypipes if the pumping operation is discontinued. It is thereforedesirable that the pumping operation be continued but without dischargeof increment dosages. The pump therefore continues to circulate theliquid content material but through a closed circuit while the feederhead and pumpingmechanism are elevated away from the die rolls. It is anobject of this invention to provide a construction capable ofaccomplishing this result.

An important feature of a machine constructed in accordance with thisinvention is theability to inspect and clean parts,y and -especially thefeeder head, without interrupting the operation of the parts. This isaccomplished by the provision of novel means for raising the feeder headfrom between the sheets or bands of capsule shell forming material while`the moving parts of the machine are still functioning, and novel meansfor cutting off the delivery of capsule ller material to the feeder headWhile the pump mechanismI is still operating. The machine, as previouslydescribed, is composed of a number of units operatively assembledtogether. The feeder head is floatingly attached to the unit containingthe pumping mechanism and it is possible by virtue of the novel meansreferred to above to raise the pump unit and the-feederhead therewithand expos-e the ejection parts of the feeder head for inspection andcleaning. Novel operating means is provided for continuing the operationof the parts evenwhen the pump unit is raised relative to the machine.

Various other objects,.advantages and meritorious features will` morefully appear from the following description, appended claims, andaccompanying drawings,- wherein:

Figure lis a side view of a machine embodying the invention :showing thegeneral assembly and in dotted outline certain operating parts,

Fig. 2y is a front view of the machine in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3-is Va vertical` transverse cross-sectional View through the pumpunit of the machine showing the details ofconstruction of the pumpingmechanism for delivering metered dosages of capsulating material,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pump unit along line 4--4 ofFig.V 3V andalso including a sectional view of apartof the apparatus inthe die rollunit below,`

Fig. 51s ahorizontal sectional View through the pump unit along line5-1-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6v is a vertical sectional view through the rear end of thepumpunit showing the manner of providing an oilseal to prevent leakageofcapsulating material,V vand Fig. '7 isa side viewmof the feeder 'headand the manner of connecting the same to the pump unit.

As-'described `in my parent application Serial No. 341,986, the'machineembodying the invention is composed of a plurality of separate unitsassembled and operatively connected together. These units are eachinterchangeable and like units can'be substitutedr for one another forcleaning or repair purposes without any more than momentarilyinterrupting the operation of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 andv 2, the machinev comprises a base unit orcolumn I0 supporting a pair of rotating casting drums l2-l2,` one oneither side thereof. Supported on each side of the front pari; of thebase unitV I0 is a unit Ill carrying a series of oil rollers' I6. Theserollers project forwardly and. upwardly? from the peripheries lof thewardly projecting die rolls 28-20 and contains operating mechanismtherein for driving the same.- On top of this unit is the pump unit 22to which this invention primarily relates. Ektending from the pump unitare a plurality of tubes 24 which lead to a feeder head 26 having itswedge-shaped bottom edge entering between the two die rolls 20-20. Y Y vAbove the pump unit is a vat 28 for containing capsule filler contentmaterial. The material in the vat flows into the pump chambers of thepump unit as will be later described. Above the rear section of the baseunit is a vat 30 for containing the capsule shell forming material. Thismaterial flows into a spreader box 32 having an inclined front wall andan adjustable gate above each drum which allows a stream of thismaterial to flow upon the periphery of each drum.

The drums rotate in the direction yof the arrow in Fig. 1. The shellmaterial spread on the periphery of the drums forms an integral sheet orband by the time it reaches the oil rollers I6. It is then taken off ofthe drums and conducted by the roller I6 to a position in line with butbelow the die rolls 2Il-2[l. Each band of capsule forming materialindicated at 34 is next passed through guide 3B Vand thence over a feedroll 38 superimposing one of the die rolls 20. From this point the twobands 34-34 converge and come together as they pass between the dierolls. The feeder head 26 rides upon the bands and discharges llermaterial between the bands as the cavities in the die rolls comeopposite one another. After passing between the die rolls, stripperrolls 40-40 dislodge the filled capsules from the bands. The balance ofthe bands continue downwardly between mangle rolls 42-42 to a suitablereceptacle.

The moving parts in the diierent units are driven from a single sourceof power by interconnecting shafts and gears. In the embodiment of theinvention illustrated herein, an electric motor 50 constitutes thedriving force. It is connected to a vertical column shaft 52 by beltingand bevel gear assembly shown in Fig. 1. This shaft is connected bygearing to a second vertical column shaft 54. A horizontal column shaft56 derives its power from worm gearing on Shaft 54. The rear end ofshaft 56 is provided with a worm gear 58 for driving the shaft uponwhich the two drums I2-I2 are mounted. The front end of the shaft islikewise provided with a worm gear for driving the oil roll assembly I6.Shaft 54 also drives a horizontal shaft 6U which in turn drives the twomangle drums 42-42 referred to above. Shaftl 54 extends upwardly intothe bottom end of the die roll unit I8 and there through interconnectinggearing described in my oopending application it drives a vertical shaft62. This shaft, as likewise described in my copending application,drives die rolls 220. In the upper part of unit I8 there is a variablespeed change gear mechanism generally indicated at 64 which connectsshaft 62 with a shaft 66. This last shaft extends upwardly into the pumpunit 22 and carries on its upper end a bevel gear 68 driving a Vbevelgear I fixed to crank shaft l2. This last shaft drives the pumpingdevices for delivering metered quantities of filler material to thefeeder head. Through aV cam element 'I4 it also drives a valve controlmember which regulates the admission and discharge of the fillermaterial into and from the pumping devices.

4 Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, the crank shaft 12 carries a square shapedbearing 'I6 fitting within a yoke 'I8 supported for reciprocatingmovement by the oppositely projecting arms 88-80 slid- Hable in bearingsE32- 82. When operated, the yoke is adapted to reciprocate two frames 84and 8B each carrying a set of pump pistons or plungers. Asbest shown inFig. 5, the frames 84 and 86 are arranged to telescope upon one another,that is to say, frame 88 which is narrower in width than frame 84isarranged to slide Within the latter. Frame 84 comprises two side arms88-88 longitudinally channeled on their inner sides to receive and guidethe two side arms 90-90 of the smaller frame member 86. The latter isbridged by two cross members 92 and 94 formed integrally with the sidearms. A cross member 9S forming a separate element is connected to theside arms 233-88 of the larger frame. The side arms E50-SQ of thesmaller frame are slotted longitudinally as at 88 in Fig. 3 to allowcross member 98 to pass therethrough. The slot is oversize the width ofthe member 9E so that the rames have a limited lengthwise movementrelative to one another. The yoke 'I8 when it is reciprocated by thecrank strikes first cross member 98 and then upon reversal the crossmember 98.

The' two frames 8 and 88 are adjustably secured together for jointreciprocation. This is accomplished by the provision of a threadedmember I8@ having its reduced inner end secured to cross member 92 asshown in Fig. 3. Member lili) is threaded to a surrounding sleeve |02having a shoulder |64 abutting against the inside of the end of frameSe. It is obvious that through the threaded connection the two framesare coupled together for joint reciprocatlon. Both the sleeve H32 andmember IBB project out through one ofthe side walls of the pump unit.The projecting end section of the sleeve I2 is knurled as shown in Fig.5 to facilitate manual turning. It is obvious from the assembly of theparts relating to this feature that upon rotatable adjustment of thesleeve I82 the threaded member |00 will move longitudinally in onedirection or the vother depending upon the direction of rotation of thesleeve and either draw cross members 94 and 98 fastened to the frames 84and 86 closer together or separate them. As will be described moreparticularly later, this adjustment will vary the stroke of the pumpingdevices which force capsule content material under pressure into thecapsules being formed. To lock this assembly in any adjusted'position, asmaller threaded member Il' extends axially through the larger member iand is provided with a tapered inner extremity which is adapted whenadvanced to radially expand or wedge a split section |08 of member IGS.A knob I Ill aids the operator in tightening the adjustment the desiredamount.

As previously mentioned, two sets of pumping devices are operated withinthis pump unit. The sets alternate in function so that while one isdischarging metered quantities of filler material the other is beingfilled preparatory to ejection under pressure. The frames 84 and 86 eachcarry a set` of pump pistons which operate in these pumping devices.Each piston set is secured to the outer end of its respective frame. Apiston of the set carried by the frame 84 is shown at H2 in Fig. 3. Apiston of the set carried by frame 8G is shown at I I4 in Fig. 3 andalso in Fig.

frame is provided with a series of semi-circular recesses."`Theouter-end of each piston |I2H-and I |4is providedwith aspool V|| 6-andtwo ldiscs 8 vto position it inthe frame. It is'obviousfrom theassembly that the pistonsare -held kupon the frame for, jointaxial-reciprocation- In-the embodiment 'of the ,inventionillustratedherein each frame carries ve.pistons,:there being-ten-pumping.devices in the whole unit.

Two metalblocks |26 and-`|22 superimpose-the piston ,supporting frames,and -arebored out`to receive sleeves forming Ichambers |f24ea'nd |=26vin which the pistons reciprocate. "',The'blocks J|20 and '|22 are`supported in anysuitable way suchas by keying andbolting down onto'the-,bodyf'of the pumpunit. The blocks are positioned on noppositesides of central metal4 block |28; and bolts V| 30 secure the blockstogether vagainst displacement. The blocks are 4so assembled -that thechambers of the Ytwo sets of pumping -devicesare in line with oneanother on opposite sidesfof the central block |28.

Between each oppositely disposed pair of-charnbers |24 and |26, thecentralblockis drilled Eto form passages for conducting fillermaterialto and away from the pump chambers. shown in'Fig. `3, a passage|32 extends 'from the top middle portionof :the central block'andopensout through :the side Yof vthe Ablock Yinto -each pump chamber.Similarly asecond passage |34 extends from-the Vtop of the blockdownwardly and thence ,outpthrough the side Aof the block to open intoeach pumpchamber.` Passage |32 is referred-to vas. the pump admission`passage or conduit; passage |34 as the discharge passage-'oriconduitMovable along the vtopof `the-central block |28 is a slide-valvemember`|36. Thevalvemember is "shapeddn a novel manner'to'control all-therpassa-ges leading to and 'from f the-chamberspf -both Asetsof'purnpingdevices in such a way' that -thevadmission passages vof one set andthedischarge passages yof -another set open and `close together, `while in`reverse order the 'admission passages' of the secondset and theAdischarge passages of the first set'are opened-.fand closed together,The slide valvelis operatedintimed relation tof-the strokes of the`pistonsso thatfthe admission passages of one'setfoffpumping devices areopen when the pistons are-retracting while at Athe :same time thedischarge passages-of the other set are open toreceive the filler-material vexpelled `from the pumpchambersnof this set.

` Referring to Fig. 3, the-slide valve: is provided top and bottom sidesthereof. AAsthe slidevalve shifts back and forth passages '|33aeitherfalign,`

with passages |32 and form extensions thereof .for are displaced to oneside so that the bodyscf the valve:cuts offrthe vpassage of the`fluidandthe passages |35. eitheralign with discharge :passages |34 `andformextensions thereof .or-.are displaced to one side so that the valvebody cuts oifithe -passagepfiluid In the positionl illustratednin Fig.3, the `admission passage |32 -leading-:to

chamber :[26 is opened through the valve;mem

ber to the top side Ythereof whiletthegcorresponding admission passageto chamber. |24is cutoff. Similarly, the discharge passage |134leadingfrom chamber |24 is vopen While the-correspondingdischargepassage forchamber -|26is cutoff.' The control exercised by thexslide;valveover the spa.,- lsages illustrated in Fig.3iisalso'tiiueiofz-,thefpas- -sages leading -to the remaining Vchambersnin; the two sets of-pumping devices. `Tehe positioniof the valvememberin Fig. 3 is atfonefendaof its move- :.iment. `Whenshifted toftheoppofrteiend.gofnitsVV movement the open andclosed conditions ofriithepassages arereversed.

l As 'previously mentioned, the slide :valveiispperated in timedrelation to `the functioningfof the .pumppistonsl At the completioniofthegfgorward and-rearward strokes of the pistons the slide valvemovesfrom one of its control positions-to the other. This isaccomplished by a novelcam drive-receiving impetus from the 'crank whichdrives the pistons. .Referring to Fig. 4, the crank shaftcarries on itsrear end a pinion |38 meshing with a .pinion |46,` This is flXed-totheicam member "'i'4..previou.sly described which`is1provided with a camslot |42 in the periphery thereof. Projecting intothe cam slot is astud|44vfiXed to the rear end ofthe slide valve. Toreduce friction, thestud vcarries a freely rotatable `,ring |46 which ridesagainst the sidewalls of the `cam slot.- It is obvious 4that as the slotted member `i`|4`rotatesit will slidethe valve Vmember backend forth. The cam slot is soformed and relatedto `the position of the crank that the slide-valvemoves from z one lposition `to the other whilethe pistonsonthe framesare resting after completion of their forward and rearward strokes.

-Above the slide valve |36 is a metal block |46. This `block is securedby bolts |56 which pass by onxopposite sides of the slide valveand enterthe central block .|28 as shown in Fig. 3. The lbolts also .pass'throughspacer elements |52-ilg52 on opposite sides of the vslide valve whichcarry lthe weight of the .structure thereabove and also is a flat vplate|58 also secured to the assembly .bythe bolts A50. This plate isprovided with ypassages 16|] aligning with the opening |56.

As previously described, the vat 28 for containing the capsule fillercontent material isiattached yto` the top'ofthe .pump unit `22. The`flat plate a |58` forms apart of the support for the vat vserving as abase therefor. Openings are provided .in the .bottom of the vat throughwhich ller contentmaterial can ow from the vat into the passages v|andthence into the openings |56 of the block |43. It is obvious that inoperation the filler content material will flow downwardly from thevatzand-be delivered to the pump chambers. v.The iretractingA movementsof the pump pistons Will, .in addition to the force of gravity, create a4suction drawing the ller materialfrom `thetanlrjnto the pump chambers.

The block .|48 is yprovided with passages. |62 opening out on thetopside of the slide valve |36,ina1ignment -with the discharge passagesA34. The flat plate |58 is provided with passages |64 yopening `intocommunication with passages |62. Passages |64 turn and open out throughthe sideof the plate member. The plurality of tubes i `:2 4eXtend fromthe opposite sides of theplate |58 andthe endof `each tube is fitted tothe `outside opening of eachpassage |64. As previously described, thetubes 24 lead to the feeder head 26. .The heretofore described pumpingmechanism yand pump operating mechanism forms the ,basis :of theVinvention claimedin my parent'application,

forming journal supports for a vertical hinge pin |12. Swinging on eachhinge pin is a forwardly extending and downwardly bent arm |14.Integrally formed on the forward extremities of arms |14 are sleeves |16in each of which a pin |18 is slidable. The pins |18 carry on theirlower ends a hat plate |80 which forms part of the feeder head. Thisplate is fixed to the top of the converging side wall portion of thefeeder head 26 in any suitable way. The feeder tubes 24 leading from thepump unit extend perpendicularly downwardly toward the plate |88 and arefitted thereinto in any suitable way. The feeder head is provided withpassages extending as continuations of the tubes 24 and opening outthrough the apex of the head. The construction of the feeder head andits relationship to the die rolls is described and claimed in mycopending application, Serial No. 307,666, filed December 5, 1939,patented May 11, 1943, Patent No. 2,318,718.

The arms |14 connect the feeder head to the pump unit 22. The form ofconnection, however, is such that the feeder head is permitted a limitedmovement in all directions except longitudinally. The slidalole t of thepins |18 in the sleeves |16 allows the head to rise and fall. Theswinging movement of the arms |14 on the hinge pins |12 allows thefeeder head to shift left and right. This freedom of movement allows thefeeder head to adjust itself to irregularities in the operation of thedie rolls and form an airtight seal between the surfaces of the dierolls and the concave sides of the feeder head. The connection providedby the arms |14 between the pump unit and the feeder head enables anovel operation to be performed, namely, to bodily lift the feeder headfrom between the die rolls at the time the pump unit is raised relativeto the machine. This allows the operator to inspect the feeder head, andto change or clean the feeder head with convenience. Moreover, as willbe described below, the feeder head and pump unit can be raised withoutdisturbing the operation of all the other functions. It is to thisfeature of the construction that the instant divisional applicationrelates.

The pump unit 22 is mounted upon the upper ends of two supporting rodsH12-|82 (Figs. 3 and 4) which extend vertically downward into the dieroll unit |8. Each of the rods |82 is racked with teeth |84. Inengagement with the rack |84 are the pinions |86 fixed to a horizontalshaft |88 which projects out through one side of the unit I8. On theprojecting end of the shaft is a handle |90. Normally the pump unit 22rests upon the top of the die roll unit I8. When the handle |90 is swungin one direction, the pinions |86 on the shaft |88 are rotated andcauses the rods |82 which they engage to rise and lift the pump unit.After the pump unit has been raised a certain distance, the sleeves |16on the arms |14 connected to the feeder head abut the heads of the pins|18 and cause the feeder head to rise with the pump unit. Dotted linesin Fig. 4 represent two positions of the handle |90. The lower positionis that assumed by the handle when the pump unit 22 rests upon the dieroll unit i8. The upper dotted representation of the handle correspondsto the raised position of the pump unit in Fig. 4. The unit can beraised to a height considerably above that illustrated in Fig. 4.

As previously mentioned it is possible to raise and lower the pump unitand the feeder head without stopping the operation of the moving partsof the machine. This is accomplished by slidably keying the gear changemechanism generally indicated at 64 (Fig. 4) to the drive shaft 66 ofthe pump unit. The shaft 66 is provided with at portions |92. A gearwheel |94 of the speed change mechanism is shaped to t the attenedsection of shaft SG and is keyed thereto. As a result, shaft 66 may beslidingly drawn through the gear wheel |94 as the pump unit is raised.Nevertheless, so long as the shaft extends through the gear wheel adriving relationship is maintained between the two elements. Gear wheel|94 is driven from gear wheel |96 xed to the top of the drive shaft 62in the die roll unit. When the pump unit is raised sulficiently it ispossible to reach under and change the gear mechanism in any suitableway such as by substituting a diiferent gear wheel for the gear wheel|90. Such a change will alter the drive relationship between the pumpunit 22 and the die roll unit i3. Raising the pump unit 22 therefore notonly lifts the feeder head from between the die rolls but also permitsaccess to the interior of the machine to change the speed change gearmechanism therein.

When the feeder head 28 is raised with the pump unit during thefunctioning of the machine, it is desirable to cut 01T the delivery ofcapsule ller material through the tubes 24 to the feeder head, otherwisethe dosages will continue to be ejected from the` discharge openingsalong the apex of the feeder head. This is accomplished in a novelmanner by the provision of control valves and associated structure whichare capable of by-passing the ller material back to the inlet side ofthe pumping devices. Referring to Figs. l and 3, the block |48 containstwo drilled openings each extending from the front of the machinerearwardly through a set of the delivery passages |62. In each drilledopening is a rotary valve member 200. Each valve member is provided witha series of diametric passages 202 which in the position shown in Fig. 3align themselves with the discharge passages |62.

Each Valve member is provided with a series of notches 204. Oppositeeach notch is a short horizontal passage 20S which opens into the largervertical passages |58 extending between the vat 28 and the passages |32leading t0 the inlets of the pumping devices. The notches 284 on eachvalve member 200 are of such a length that the valve can be turned toopen communication between the transverse passages 206 and the dischargepassages |52. At the same time the diametrically extending passages 202are turned out of line with the passages |62 cutting off furtherdelivery of content material to the tubes 24. The result is that thepumps continue to operate but ineifectively since the dosages dischargedfrom the pump chambers are by-passed back into the inlet passagesleading to the chambers. To eifect turning movement of the valves ahandle shown at 208 in Fig. 2 is detachably connected to the exposedends of the valve members. Thus at ant7 time the discharge of contentmaterial from the feeder head can be cut off without stopping theoperation of the machine.

In many instances the filler content material for the capsules is highlymobile and if no provision is provided for preventing it, the substancewill leak through between the moving surfaces of the machine,particularly along the cylinder walls in which the pistons ||2 and ||4operate. This leakage will not only alter the intended dosage for thecapsules but also in many cases foul the moving parts ofthe mac "inecausing them to deteriorate atta' fastenrate. Moreover; if the con'-tentmaterialis "inflammable, leakageofthis Icharacter increases theU nrehazard'. A vnovel provision'i's made for preventing'leakageoffillermaterialfrom'tlie pumping devices, This is accomowsinto thepressure chambers it will not affect theV dosage capsulated. Thisconstruction" is partic'ularlyf'describedin 'my' parent applicatidn,`'Serial `No.`"34`l',98'6.' Briefly,`it is as follows:

To provide the oil seal and maintain it at the desired pressure, theblocks and |22 are each provided with a passage 2 I0 which extendtransversely to the chambers |24 an-d |26 and open out into the bores inwhich the sleeves forming the chambers are fitted. Ports 2 i2 opencommunication between the passages 2|!! and the chambers |24 and |26.The passages and ports are so arranged that the oil is delivered to theannular groove of the cylinder wall at a location never uncovered by theface of the piston. Oil is delivered to the passages 2li] by tubes 2 I4(Fig. 6) communicating with a source of oil under pressure which is notshown. Fittings 2 6 on the ends of the delivery tubes connect the tubeswith the passage 2 I0 in a leak-proof manner.

What I claim is:

1. In a capsulating machine, in combination, a fixed unit including apair of rotatably supported die rolls and means for feeding two bands of`capsule forming material along converging paths downwardly between saidrolls, a second unit including a feeder head having a discharge orificeand pumping mechanism having a fluid communicating line leadingtherefrom through the feeder head to deliver capsule content materialthereto for discharging from said orifice, means supporting the secondunit above the first unit forl vertical movement with respect to the rstunit, said means being operable to lower the second unit to position thefeeder head within the converging space between and above said die rollsand to raise the second unit to elevate the feeder head out of and abovesaid space, power means, driving mechanism coupling the power means withthe die rolls of the first unit and with the pumping mechanism of thesecond unit to drive the pumping mechanism in synchronism with therotation of the die rolls, said driving mechanism including elementsrelatively shiftable upon raising and lowering of the second unit withrespect to the first unit for maintaining the same rotatable phaserelationship of the pumping mechanism and the die rolls at elevated andlowered position of the second unit with respect to the first unit.

2. In a capsulating machine, in combination, a fixed unit including apair of rotatably supported die rolls and means for feeding two bands ofcapsule forming material along converging paths downwardly between saidrolls, a second unit including a feeder head having a discharge orificeand pumping mechanism having a uid communication line leading therefromthrough the feeder head to deliver capsule content material thereto fordischarging from said orifice, means supporting the second uni'tfabovethe first unit for vertical movement with' respect `to-A the'ifirstunit, said means being operable tolowerthesecon'd unit to position thefeeder Aliea'd wit-hin the converging spacebetweenandabovei-said'dierolls andtofraise the second unit' to: elevate the* feeder' head 'outof' andi above "lsaid spacci" power means; driving mechanism couplingthef powerl meanswith the dierolls of'theiirstunit' andwvi'tn thepumpingmechanism of the second unit-A to drive the pumping mechanism infsynchronismwvith thelrotation of the -die rolls, saidfldriving'mechanism' including meahsffor maintaining-the fsamerotatable phaserelatins'hipil of 'the' Jpumping mechanism sition i of" the :secondiunit .with respect fto the first unit; the-i'liiidlconi'munieationllline leading `from the` pumpingl mechanism?Lto thel feeder head-including-a vali/evcontrolledibylpassadapted tobypass fluid delivered by the pump back to the pump without deliverythereof to the discharge orifice of the feeder head.

3. In a capsulating machine, a fixed unit including a pair of rotatablysupported die rolls and means for delivering two bands of capsuleforni-- ing material downwardly along converging paths between the oversaid die rolls, a second unit including a feeder head and pumpingmechanism communicating therewith to deliver capsule content materialthereto, means for supporting said second unit above said first unit andwtih the feeder head disposed within the space between and above saiddie rolls, means operable to raise and lower the second unit withrespect to the rst unit to elevate the feeder head out of the spacebetween the rolls and away from the bands traveling thereover and tolower the feeder head into said space to bear upon the bands travelingover the die rolls, said second unit including means supporting thefeeder head to permit limited upward movement of the pumping mechanismindependently of the feeder head and following such independent movementto move the feeder head upwardly with the pumpingg mechanism, anddriving mechanism coupled with the die rolls to rotate the die rolls andcoupled with the pumping mechanism to actuate the same in synchronismwith the rotation of the die rolls in both the raised and loweredposition of the second unit.

4. In a capsulating machine, in combination, a fixed unit including apair of die rolls rotatable about parallel horizontal aXes and means forfeeding two bands of capsule shell forming material along convergingpaths downwardly toward and between the die rolls, a second unitsuperimposing said fixed unit and including pumping mechanism fordelivering capsule filler content material and a feeder head having adischarge orifice, said feeder head normally arranged between theconverging paths of the two bands of shell forming material between thedie rolls, said feeder head communicating with the pumping mechanism toreceive the filler content material delivered by said pumping mechanismfor discharge from said oriiice, driving mechanism operatively connectedwith the pumping mechanism and with the die rolls to drive the pumpingmechanism in timed relationship with the rotation of the die rolls,means for raising said second unit relative to the first unit andwithdrawing the feeder head upwardly from between the two convergingbands of shell-forming material substantially clear thereof suiiicientfor inspection and cleaning of said orifice without 11 interrupting thetimed operation of the die rolls and pumping mechanism.

5. In a capsulating machine, in combination, a xed unit including a pairof rotatably supported die rolls and means for feeding two bands ofcapsule forming material along converging paths downwardly between saidrolls, a second unit superimposing said rst unit including a feeder headhaving a discharge orifice and pumping mechanism having a iiuidcommunication line leading therefrom through the feeder head to delivercapsule content material thereto for discharge from said orifice,driving means operativels7 connected with said die rolls in said iirstunit and with said pumping mechanism inv said second unit to drive thepumping mechanism in timed relation with the rotation of the die rolls,

means for bodily raising said second unit with REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Scherer Jan. 26, 1943 Scherer Aug. 14,1934 Scherer Aug. 22, 1944 Number

